Spectacle frame



May 22, 1951 J. J. RQHRBACH SPECTACLE FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.15, 1947 INVENTOR JOHN J. ROHRBACH 4 ATTORNEY y 1951 J. J. ROHRBACH2,554,386

SPECTACLE FRAME Filed Nov. 15. 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN R JOHN J. R0AcH 34K KM ATTORNEY Patented May 22, 1951 SPECTACLE FRAME John J.Rohrbach, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Shuron Optical Company, Inc.,Geneva, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 15, 1947,Serial No. 786,233

2 Claims. 1

Thi invention relates to spectacle frames and more particularly to theclass of spectacle frames wherein the lenses are secured to a top ofplastic non-metallic substance by lower half-rims of metal, as disclosedin Chappell United States Patent 2,329,100, issued September '7, 1943.

Spectacles with a plastic top and metal lower half-rims "of the typeabove-described possess numerous advantages over other types ofophthalmic mountings. The strength of a full frame and the coloradaptation feature of plastic frames are combined with the full viewfeature of a rimless mounting in the lower visual portion. The eyebrowline or browline is accentuated resulting in a more attractiveappearance. Furthermore, the combination results in a spectacle frame ofa distinct and pleasing style.

I-Ieretofore, the disadvantages of plastic frames have been accentuatedin the type of frame discussed above. Xylonite or zylonite of which suchplastic frames are usually made, is a cellulose nitrate plastic easilysoftened by heat. Hooks or other attachments anchored in a hole in thezylonite easily pull out upon distortion of the frame when subjected toheat in fitting the spectacles or in ordinary use. Ordinary screwthreads are of no value since the plastics ordinarily used areofinsuflicient strength to form a proper thread which will withstandnormal strain.

7 By my invention, I am enabled to attach the .the lenses, and whichmake possible the use of adjustable pad arms not ordinarily found inplastic spectacles.

The principal object of my invention is to provide fastenings for boththe temporal and nasal end of each metal lower half-rim by which suchlower half-rim may be securely attached to the plastic top, and whichwill not only withstand the normal strains of use and not pull out ofthe plastic, but which will also be readily removable for introductionand replacement of lenses and which will not wear out even afterfrequent removal or adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fastening which isadjustable to compensate for minor variations in the size of the lensesused and, bein readily and completely removable, to make possible theuse of various sizes and shapes of lenses by substituting metal lowerhalf-rims of various lengths.

Still further objects are to make said fastenings readily concealableand inconspicuous so as to obtain a spectacle frame which is pleasing tothe eye and flattering to the appearance of the wearer; and to makepossible the use of adjustable nose pad arms, which are desirable forfacial adjustments and correct placement of the lens centers before theeye.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent uponreading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pair of spectacles embodying myinvention, parts of the temples being broken away;

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, rear elevation of the temporalportion of the spectacle front showing details of the temporal fasteningdevice;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary section of the nasal portion on theline 4-4 of Figure 8, showing details of the nasal fastening device;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, rear elevation of substantiallythe same portion as shown in Figure 4, showing, in addition, nose padand arm;

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary section of the portion shown inFigure 3 on the line 6-6 of Figure 3; I

Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary section of the portion shown inFigure 3 on line 1-1 of Figure 3; 5'

Figure 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary section of the portion shown inFigures 4 and 5 on the line 8-8 of Figure 4 and showing nose pad and armin top plan;

Figure 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the temporalportion;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of a spectacle front showing amodification of my invention;

Figure 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary rear elevation ofthe nasal portionof the modified spectacle front of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of the nasalfastening device of the modified spectacle front of Figure 10; v 1

Figure 13 is a sectional view of substantially the same portion as shownin Figure 4, showing a further modification of my invention;

Figure 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary end view of the nasal portion of aspectacle front with portions of the upper and lower rims and temporalportions broken away, showing a further modification of my invention;and

Figure 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary rear elevation of the portionshown in Figure 14, partly in section on the line l5--l5 of Figure 14.

The spectacles I0 shown .in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings comprise aspectacle top II made of zylonite or like plastic material, hereinafterpieces l8.

.through the hollow cylinders 35.

- the top H.

sometimes called zyl, hingedly connected by temporal hinge assemblies 12to temples l3 also made of zyl, and metal lower half-rims l4 comprisingthin metal bands, sometimes called eyewires. The spectacle top Hcomprises a bridge portion l5,.top arm v,portions 16, nose padsupporting-portions [1 depending from the bridge l5, and endpieceportions l8, all preferably formed integrally from the plastic material.

A nasal assembly I9 is secured to eachof the nose pad supportingportions H, and includes an adjustable nose pad 29 andassociatedpartswhich are illustrated as being of' the general 'type. disclosed in KrappUnited States Patentf'2-,25'7-;96i6, issued October '7, 1941, but, maybe, of any other suitable construction. Each nasal assembly" f9 isattached to its respective nose pad supporting portion 17 of the top Hby rivets 2i and 22 in .the usual manner.

edges seatedin asubstantially' v-.-'shape'dj;groove I 24 formed at theinner sidesof thetop arms l6,..nse .pad supporting portions I1, and end-The upper edges .ofthe lenses conform in contour to thatof. thegrooveQZLand the lenses are held in place against thetop lLby. thelowerhalf-rims l4.

,LEach temporal lhinge .sassembly [2 comprises hinge members 25and'26andpintle21. -Hinge members 25-are sunk into the surface oftemples l3 so thatonlyrthe hinge ear. projects fromthe surface and isfastened thereto in the usualmannerlbyrivets 28 and 29, .asshownninFigure 9.

Hinge members 26 are sunk into'the surface :of ..endpieces l8 andfastened thereto in likemanner by rivets 30 .and 3i, .asshown .in Figurev6.

Pir'itlell .joinsand fastens hingemembersrfi and 26 in the usual manner.

The lower half-rims.=l4 each comprise lens'retaining portions 32 oflight-guage fiexiblec'inetal of substantially the width of thethickness-(of -lenses 23, having an interiorggrooved surface 33,:substantially V-shaped in section. .Hookshaped nasal fastenings 34(Figures 4 and 8) :-of metal -ofless width than the-lens retainingtportion 32, .are formed integrally with or-fastenedsecurelyto saidportions 32, as by soldering; andz -ternporal fastening devices .35(Figures -3-.and 7)--are;:als0

securely.-fastened,-- as by soldering-tolens retaining portions-32. Thefasteners -35qare short, hollow metal cylinders of outside diameter. ap-

.. preciably less than the thickness of endpieces I8 of the top H.--Metal cylinders -36-of substanretaining or clamping-(screws .31 .whichipass The temporal fastening devices 35 and cylinders 35: are-:containedin the slots orgrooves '38nalongathe inner edge'of endpieces 18 (Figures3,. 6,.and 7). :There :are similar slots or grooves 39 ('Fig,ures-4,;5;;and

8) along the inner edge-ofseachmose: padx'supporting portion I! ofthetop l l,-which,.xcontain the nasal fastenings 34"ofrthe;a'lowershalferims l4 asthey are hooked overrivet22.

It will be apparent that, =wheni :lenses:23care inserted, nasalfastenings. 341'1100kEd;.=0Verlfl'iV8tS 22, and temporal fastening".devices 35:isecurely fastened to cylinders '33L-byscrews31,2.theclenses will be firmly held in placelbyxgroovedz'surfaces 33' ofthe lowerfhalfi-rims l4 and'grooves 24 of e As screw 3'! fig; tightened,the lower half-rim l4 willconform in contourtothe-lower half of the lensperimeter. Since the bevelled edge of lens 23 is forced into groove 24of the top II and into groove 33 of the lower half-rim I4, the lens willbe held firmly in place by said grooves along the entire length of eachgroove. At thetem-poral andfnasal sides ,of the lens re-..spectively'zwhere therejisla smallT-po'rtion of the lens edge not incontact with grooves 24 or 33, istrength and rigidity are imparted byscrew 31 in cooperation with cylinders 35 and 36 and by theal-igningaction of slot 39 as it contains the nasal end of lower half-rim I4.

The lowerhalf-rims l4 need not be accurately :shaped-to. theoutline ofthe lenses 23 as they conform themselves, to minor variations in thelenses "when theyarefastened in place as above described. It will alsobe apparent that the fastening devices above described are securelyanchoredin,placebyrivetsll .and.22,.30,.and 3l in ,the zylportions, andwill ,notpull loose vunder normal stresses and strains even when 'thezylris softened by subjection I tolheat. Furthermore, the zylportionswill not becomeworn awaysor weakened by frequentadjustments-orchangingoflenses. because ,all '-working parts .are oflmetal. .In the constructionasabove described,.,.a-ll.exterior. rivet heads. and, incasetransparentayl .is used,-all fastening devices rmayybe. concealed.by the use of. opaque plasticor metal .iplacques 40, and 42 as'shown.-When meta1.,.plac ques are used, the outerends or-heads oftrivetsfll,22 ,=28, 23,313, and 3! may be,securelyvfastened to said ,placques as.by rsoldering. -Whensplastic ..placques.are used .to cover the. rivetheads lthey may be secured to the ,.plaStic-.1301x012. temples by.cementing wi thany-suitable plastic cement, or by softening with aplastic. sol-vent -such:assacetone, and fusing ;them ton by" pressure.-.-S.uch I placques may be --used-, to enhance the -decora-40.,tive-scheme of the spectacles by shaping-mth attractively. Plastic-placques;m%tyfbe;col0red:rt contrast or blend with the iother: plastic{parts and metal iaplaoques may1:be:. 'suitab1yeetched';or v engraved.Minor variations. ingcontoureand size of threatens rmay be:compensateidxforz-by adjustment of: .screw 31. Referring:"to.,- Figure1;3,f:it will:be;I -seenst; at,IVVithithGitDflI'tlCll13I"lensjfillllfitrafted{511118,CYHIIdIlacalfastener; 35 does :not, abutithe:cylindricaljporirition- 36- of the:hinge:member 26-. when :the clampftingscrew'tl' is fully tightened.Theslengthlof ihlower :half rim 14 isjsuch th'at' whenmcrew 31;;isctig-htened -.:fi.rmly.: in cylindrical portion-335, 4116115 23 isfirmly seated'in grooves 2ftsandiz33:and;;there 5-3-45 arr-appreciablespace as, at ll: between cylinders ir35gandr36. gThisrspaceZxMpermitsiiminor starinations .in' the contour. orsize of theylens withouteincreasing or decreasing the.=:firmnessiwithiwhich dens-23 held. insplacei inigrooves; 24:and.5:3'3. i i-If ;:the1=lens::isgisligh-tlyoversize, fthe:.-space 'lgzisnincreased: slightly andzif the'lenslisislightlmunderseize, nthe .-space 1.41 :.is .zdecrease'daaccordingly. r'Should'fit be :desired vtoi: SLlbStitlltGLall-BBSSS or;substantially different lower contour,issuchrsubstitu- :.ition':may;be:Jcli'ea'ply: and easily-imadescbm'rthe, use

esof lower: half-rims: ofappropri'ate. lengths.

Figures 10, ll sand;,12 illustrateiarmodification ezof thei inventionzin .xwhichfzspectaclemtop'i l .tatof ezspe'ctacle; Ella isi'formedzwitlrthe' mod fiedsbridge i i5a similar'tox bridge: 15;: exceptthat:;the:-.dependent nose pad supporting portions: iiareromitted."izThe pad arm 3810f the-nasalassem'blytlfia is atiatached: directly, asby soldering; tot thenm'etal :lens "retaining portion 32-ofi= thelowemhalfs-rimi 14c. Lower half-rim i l4c, longer than halt-rim l.'4,iisfastened directly to rivet 5! in bridge l5a by nasal fastening 34, asbest shown in Figure 12. Fastening 3 3 is contained within slot 390along the edge of bridge iiia adjacent to the lens 23. The modificationof Figure has an important advantage in that the omission of nose padsupporting portions I? permits a narrower distance between lenses for agiven adjustment of the nose pads 29, that is, allows the use of largerlenses for a particular patient than would be possible with thespectacles of Figures 1 and 9.

It will also be noted that placque i! has been omitted from Figure 10,leaving the heads of rivets 33 and SI exposed. Rivets 5! are also shownas exposed. It is to be understood, however, that these rivets may becovered by a placque or placques similar to placque 4! concealing rivetsand 38 in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 13 illustrates a modification of the spectacle frame of Figures 1to 9, in which nasal fastening 43 of the lower half-rim Ma is shapedwith a double hook, thus engaging rivet 25 as well as rivet 22 forincreased strength and rigidity. Slot 39a is of increased length toaccommodate the longer nasal fastening 43.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a further modification of the invention inwhich nasal fastening 54 is a half loop formed at the nasal end of lowerhalf-rim Nb and engages rivet 55, which is merely an anchoring rivet andserves no other pur-- pose since nose pad 56 is integrally formed onnose pad supporting portion ll of the spectacle top II. It will be notedthat slot 392) may be considerably smaller than slot 39 of Figure 4.

Although I have described my invention in detail and therefore utilizedcertain specific terms and language herein, it is to be understood thatthe present disclosure is illustrative, rather than restrictive, andthat changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A spectacle frame for a pair of lenses and of the type having abridge, a plastic top arm for each lens shaped to mate with and embracethe upper portion only of the perimeter of the lens, a plastic templeendpiece integral with and extending outward from the temporal end ofeach top arm, temples hinged to said endpieces, and securing means forattaching each lens to said spectacle frame, characterized by theprovision of temporal lens securing means having a wide range ofadjustment and being substantialy wholly concealed within the templeendpiece, said temporal lens securing means and associated parts, forthe attainment of these ends, comprising in combination, a metal hingeplate serving to support the hinged temple and secured to the rear ofsaid endpiece by fastening means penetrating the endpiece in front ofthe inner surface of the hinge plate, a metal lug secured to said innersurface of the hinge plate at the lens side of said fastening means, arecess in said endpiece within which said lug is located, said endpiecehaving an integral depending portion extending a substantial distancebelow said hinge plate and lug, an open-sided slot of substantiallyU-shaped cross-section in the inner edge of said depending portion andextending the entire heighth of said portion with the upper end of saidslot opening into said recess, a tapped hole in said lug extendingaxially of said slot, a second metal lug carrying temporal lenssupporting means and located within said slot. said second lug beingsubstantially shorter than said slot and being shaped for axial slidingmovement within the slot, a hole in said second lug extending axially ofsaid slot, and a screw for detachably and adjustably fastening 5 saidlugs together having its head positioned wthin said slot and bearingupon the lower end of said second lug and having its stem passing freelythrough said second lug hole and threaded into said first lug hole.

2. A spectacle frame for a pair of lenses and of the type having abridge, a plastic top arm for each lens shaped to mate with and embracethe upper portion only of the perimeter of the lens, a plastic templeendpiece integral with and extending outward from the temporal end ofeach top arm, temples hinged to said endpieces, and securing means forattaching each lens to said spectacle frame comprising a lens-retainingmetal band grooved to mate with the edge of the lens, said band beingsecured to the plastic top arm adjacent the nasal side thereof andserving to cradle the lower half of the lens, characterized by theprovision of temporal lens securing means having a wide range ofadjustment and being substantially wholly concealed within the templeendpiece, said temporal lens securing means and associated parts, forthe attainment of these ends, comprising in combination, a metal hingeplate serving to support the hinged temple and secured to the rear ofsaid endpiece by fastening means penetrating the endpiece in front ofthe inner surface of the hinge plate, a metal lug secured to said innersurface of the hinge plate at the lens side of said fastening means, arecess in said endpiece within which said lug is located, said endpiecehaving an integral depending portion extending a substantial distancebelow said hinge plate and lug, an open-sided slot of substantiallyU-shaped cross-section in the inner edge of said depending portion andextending the entire heighth of said portion with the upper end of saidslot opening into said recess, a tapped hole in said lug extendingaxially of said slot, a second metal lug secured to said lens-retainingband adjacent the temporal end thereof and located within said slot,said second lug being substantially shorter than said slot and beingshaped for axial sliding movement within the slot, a hole in said secondlug extending axially of said slot, and a screw for detachably andadjustably fastening said lugs together having its head positionedwithin said slot and bearing upon the lower end of said second lug andhaving its stem passing freely through said second lug hole and threadedinto said first lug hole.

JOHN J. ROHRBACH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

